May 30, 2005

Crohn's disease and Diet

Thanks to jcwinnie for posting this here : http://www.kickas.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=starch&Number=58612
In "Listen to Your Gut" Jini Patel Thompson notes some research where 33 patients with Crohn's disease were first put on Total Parenteral Nutrition to clear up the symptoms, then researchers "gradually introduced one food per day to determine which foods were tolerated and which triggered a return of symptoms. Wheat was the highest offender (69%), then dairy products (48%), followed by yeast (31%), corn (24%) and potato (17%)." (p. 135)

In regards to what was said in the article below: I eat a lot of coconut cream and shredded coconut fibre and they certainly are not equal, the coconut fibre has huge amounts of dietary fibre and effectively clears my gut / skin fungal problems (candida), whilst coconut cream does not help me.
quoted from: http://www.angelfire.com/in2/thevortex/crohns/coconut.html
Coconut Macaroons - a tasty weapon against Crohn's symptoms

Who says treating a chronic illness is never fun?

Couple of years ago there was an article in a local newspaper about a study done on Crohn's patients. It seems that patients who ate two Archway brand coconut macaroons every day had reduced symptoms, as long as they kept eating two macaroons a day. This is very cool news; treating a serious disease with cookies, and it works! Needless to say, all the Crohn's patients in the area bought every box of Archway macaroons that the stores had, and the day after the article ran there were none to be had in the entire tri-state area. This led my mommy, because she is a saint who's dedicated to making me feel better, to search through cookbooks for macaroon recipies in hopes that homemade macaroons would have the same effects on Crohn's symptoms as the storebought Archway brand. Well, a month or so later, an article was printed with new study results: it's the coconut oil, not anything special in Archway's recipe, that provides the symptom relief. Any coconut-containing food will do the same, if eaten in large enough amounts. Personally, I think the macaroons are still the only way to go, and I also think Mom's recipie blows Archway's recipe completely away. So don't spend $3 a box for macaroons that taste like compressed chips of shredded cardboard, make your own with this recipie! Enjoy.


Coconut Macaroons
===========================

You will need:
==============
* two 7 oz. packages of shredded coconut
* A small can of evaporated milk (15 oz.)
* A dash Vanilla Extract

What to do with that stuff:
===========================
1. Mix it all up real good.
2. Put it in spoonful-sized globs on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-20 minutes on the top rack. (They're done when they start to get golden-colored and firm.)
4. Take 'em off the sheet right after removing from the oven. If they fall apart, just stick 'em back together once they cool.

from: http://www.acscsn.org/Forum/Discussion/thread/view?msgid=45276&msgrid=3
Archway Coconut Macaroon Cookies For Diarrhea

January 11, 2003

This is one of the tastiest and most unusual home remedies we have ever collected. Donald Agar had suffered from Crohn's disease for many years. Diarrhea was a constant problem. By accident he discovered that Archway Coconut Macaroon cookies helped control the diarrhea better than any medicine he had taken.

Lots of people have written to tell us that eating coconut macaroons has stopped their diarrhea.

This is the essence of home remedies. The discovery relied on serendipity, but Donald also paid attention to how his body responded.

We cannot promise that these cookies will work for everyone with serious diarrhea, but for some people they seem to be amazingly helpful. And for mild diarrhea, there is no reason not to try.

Copyright (c) 1999 by Graedon Enterprises, Inc. From The People's Pharmacy Guide To Home And Herbal Remedies by Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon. Reprinted by permission of St. Martin's Press, LLC.
Posted by zarkme at 07:09:10 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

May 16, 2005

UVB for Psoriasis


quotes from http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/diseasemanagement/dermatology/psoriasis/psoriasis.htm

Phototherapy is highly effective, clearing 80% to 100% of the skin. However, some maintenance therapy is usually necessary.8 The disadvantages to this treatment method are that it requires specialty equipment and care, the need for two or three office visits a week, and is expensive. Additionally, it carries a short-term risk of sunburn and a theoretical long-term risk of skin cancer.

Natural sunlight and UVA tanning beds are mildly therapeutic. Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy is given by dermatologists in the office or clinic. It is reserved for patients with widespread lesions involving 10% or more of the BSA. Specialized training is necessary for the safe delivery of phototherapy.

The Goeckerman regimen, first described in 1925, used a combination of broadband UVB (290 nm to 320 nm) phototherapy and crude coal tar. However, a 1981 study found that nonerythemogenic protocols of broadband UVB therapy used with a bland ointment, such as petrolatum or mineral oil, was equally as effective at clearing psoriasis. The study showed that the erythema spectrum for UVB was below 300 nm and that the therapeutic action spectrum was between 300 nm and 313 nm.9 In 1984 a fluorescent lamp (Philips TL-01) was designed to emit UVB at 311nm to 313nm, which is now known as narrowband UVB. Several studies have shown that narrowband UVB phototherapy is more effective more rapidly than broadband UVB therapy.

Our clinic uses the modified protocol described by Shelk and Morgan10, treating patients three times weekly until their skin is nearly clear followed by maintenance one to two times weekly. Narrowband UVB phototherapy is probably not as efficacious as PUVA but is perceived to be safer because no internal photosensitizer is used. Moreover, broadband UVB therapy has had a long track record of safety since 1925, whereas PUVA has been found to be associated with squamous cell carcinoma.

Recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the 308-nm xenon chloride excimer laser has enhanced narrowband UVB therapy. In a pilot study of the XTRAC (PhotoMedex)11, psoriasis cleared after 8 treatments; however, 30 narrowband UVB treatments were required to achieve the same effect. The cumulative dose for the laser was one sixth that of narrowband UVB. A second study showed that higher fluences produced significantly better results and fewer recurrences at 4 months follow-up; however, higher fluences may cause blistering reactions. Disadvantages to this modality are that the aperture of the handpiece is 4 cm2 (limiting practical use to patients with less than 10% BSA involvement); unproven efficacy in specialized areas such as the scalp, palms, and soles; and unknown long-term side-effects.

[...]

Vitamin D3 and Analogs
 Topical vitamin D3 (calcitriol) and the topical synthetic analogs calcipotriene and tacalcitol are effective for plaque-type psoriasis and are free of any serious toxicity.21 In double-blind studies, patients applied calcipotriene to one side of their body and corticosteroids to the other side. Calcipotriene was equivalent to or better than medium-strength and potent corticosteroid ointments, without the risk of skin atrophy or rebound flare-ups on discontinuation of therapy.

In open trials, patients taking oral calcitriol showed dramatic improvement but experienced significant hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and nephrotoxicity. No placebo-controlled study of oral calcitriol alone has been conducted; however, when combined with 21 erythemogenic ultraviolet B treatments, oral calcitriol had no additive effect compared with placebo.

[...]

Level 3: Systemic:

Although systemic treatments are more effective than level 2 treatments, they are often more expensive and have greater potential for toxicity. Systemic treatments are generally prescribed only by a dermatologist.

Photochemotherapy or PUVA was first reported as a novel treatment for psoriasis in a landmark article in 1974.14 The photosensitizer, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), is taken orally 1.5 to 2 hours before UVA exposure. The drug is excited by the UVA irradiation in the 320-nm to 390-nm wavelength range. This produces crosslinking of DNA strands, thereby inhibiting DNA synthesis and epidermal turnover, which leads to healing of psoriasis.

Long-term follow-up of PUVA-treated patients has conclusively demonstrated the carcinogenic potential of PUVA for squamous cell carcinoma with the greatest risk for male genitalia. The latter must now be shielded during treatment. These patients also developed pigmented macules, called PUVA lentigines, in exposed areas. One study group reported that the incidence of malignant melanoma is increased in patients who received more than 250 PUVA treatments and were followed for more than 15 years. Although their results have not been confirmed by other investigators, dermatologists have sought to treat patients with alternatives perceived to be safer, such as bath PUVA.

In bath PUVA, the 8-MOP solution is dissolved in bath water, and the patient is soaked for 30 minutes before UVA exposure. Systemic absorption is negligible, and it is not necessary for the patient to wear UV protective glasses for the remainder of the day. The psoralen must be dispensed in the office. Most offices are not set up to give full body baths, however, this treatment is highly effective for psoriasis of the palms and soles, which is usually recalcitrant. Palms and soles are soaked in basins in an examination room and followed by twice-weekly exposure to hand-foot UVA-delivery units. The formula is 0.4 mL of 1% methoxsalen (Oxsoralen) solution diluted in 1.5 L tap water.15 If necessary, this treatment can be enhanced with 10-25 mg daily acitretin, an oral retinoid.


Posted by zarkme at 06:58:39 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

May 10, 2005

Peripheral Enthesitis (inflamed hands, knees and feet)

Definition of Enthesitis
  • Inflammation at the point where the tendons attach to bones. This results in pain in area of the body such as: heels of feet, wrists, knees and sometimes the fingers.

Enthesitis is sometimes described as Enthesopathy, well actually Enthesitis is a type of Enthesopathy (just like beer is a type of drink). Here are some definitions for Enthesopathy :


Enthesitis is associated with:
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
    Occurrs in about 33% of patients
  • Reiter's Syndrome
    Enthesitis is a common symptom in reiter's syndrome (ref A).
    For information on Reiter's Syndrome click here
  • In my experience enthesitis and iritis have the same root causes. That is to say the same foods that trigger my enthesitis also tend to trigger my iritis.

from http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2700.htm
Peripheral entheses and joints

* Peripheral enthesitis occurs in approximately 33% of [ankylosing spondylitis] patients. These lesions are painful and tender upon examination and may be associated with swelling of the tendon or ligament insertion.

* The most common and characteristic peripheral sites of enthesitis are the insertion of the Achilles tendon on the calcaneus and the insertion of the plantar fascia on the calcaneus. Certain anatomic areas may be more prone to enthesitis due to biomechanical stress. Other areas of involvement are listed in Peripheral enthesitis and arthropathy. Carefully examine patients for tenderness upon palpation.

* Enthesitis and synovitis account for some of the peripheral joint involvement. Peripheral joint disease occurs in 33% of patients, most commonly in the hips. Hip involvement usually occurs in the first 10 years of the disease course and typically is bilateral. Other joints may be involved, including the shoulder girdle (glenohumeral, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular joints), costovertebral joints, costosternal junctions, manubriosternal joints, symphysis pubis, and temporal mandibular joints. Other peripheral joints uncommonly are involved and, if so, in an asymmetric oligoarticular pattern.

* Dactylitis (sausage digit) is very uncommon in patients with AS. Isolated small-joint involvement of the hands, feet, or dactylitis strongly suggests RS, ReA, PsA, or USpA.

* Destructive arthropathy may affect the hips or shoulder girdle, which may result in limited range of motion and flexion deformities.


Posted by zarkme at 14:02:21 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Kidney Problems

from http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2700.htm
Renal involvement
* Amyloidosis is a very rare complication of AS in patients with severe, active, and long-standing disease. These patients generally have active spondylitis, active peripheral joint involvement, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein level. This may result in renal dysfunction with proteinuria and renal insufficiency or failure.
* Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy has been reported in association with AS.
[...]
"Common toxicities [to NSAID's] involve the gastrointestinal (nausea, dyspepsia, ulceration, bleeding), renal, and central nervous systems.



Posted by zarkme at 13:59:42 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Hyperparathyroidism

I wonder how common Hyperparathyroidism is in AS. The symptoms seemed to fit, but in reality I guess the relationship to AS is weak or non existant (?). I heard that people with AS tend to have high serum levels of calcium, but on further resaerch that appears to be incorrect. .. I will also look into Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

from http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic356.htm
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
In most cases, the sequence of events leading to the development of hypersecretion of parathormone is any long-standing osteomalacia. The most common cause is chronic renal insufficiency, such as that in renal polycystic disease or chronic pyelonephritis. Chronic renal insufficiency is accompanied by several biochemical abnormalities that include diminished urinary excretion of phosphate with consequent elevation of serum phosphate levels and elevation in the levels of the calcium-phosphate product. Serum calcium levels tend to be normal, but they may be marginally reduced. The alkaline phosphates are almost always elevated. The hyperphosphatemia and damaged renal parenchyma leads to a reduction of renal production of 1-a-(OH)2D3, or 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-DHCC). Decreased intestinal absorption of vitamin D follows, which impairs mobilization of calcium from the bones due to PTH resistance.


from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=842146
"ASp is characterized by significantly reduced elimination of hydraxyproline, higher metabolic pool of calcium, lower elimination of calcium in urine and faeces and lower accretion to bone."
[Calcium, phosphorus, hydroxyproline and nitrogen in inflammatory joint diseases], Z Rheumatol. 1977 Jan-Feb;36(1-2):60-72

from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=315611
"Corrected calcemia was also normal in ankylosing spondylitis, but it was significantly higher in polymyalgia rheumatica. Phosphoremia was shown to be normal but alkaline phosphatases were higher than normal in the three groups."
[Changes in blood calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels in rheumatoid polyarthritis and other types of inflammatory rheumatism], Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic. 1979 Jun;46(6):389-95.

from: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/240/8/759
An attempt was made to determine whether a relationship exists between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and hyperparathyroidism (HP). Twenty patients with definite AS, studied for biochemical evidence of HP, did not show consistent abnormalities in serum calcium, phosphorus, alkalinephosphatase, or parathyroid hormone levels or in bone-density measurements. Reviewing roentgenograms of 39 patients with HP showed one patient with sacroiliitis, and one of the 28 hyperparathyroid patients tissue-typed as HLA B27-positive. Both AS and HP are independent entities that have no causative or pathological relationship to each other.
Ankylosing spondylitis and hyperparathyroidism, JAMA, August 25, 1978

[Ed: An old study with too few patients. Must have been a poorly executed study as it says there were no consistant abnormalities in alkalinephosphatase. It is however well known now that alkalinephosphatase tends to be raised in A.S.]

from: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/79/3/362
"Vitamin D deficiency in adults causes secondary hyperparathyroidism that can precipitate and exacerbate osteoporosis (2, 9, 11). The secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with vitamin D deficiency often maintains the serum calcium concentration within the normal range, but it causes a loss of phosphorus in the urine. This loss results in inadequate serum calcium x phosphorus to promote mineralization of the osteoid in the bone, which in turn results in osteomalacia, ie, nonmineralization of the collagen matrix."

from: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/endo/pubs/hyper/hyper.htm
"The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), a substance that helps maintain the correct balance of calcium and phosphorous in the body. PTH regulates release of the calcium from bone, absorption of calcium in the intestine, and excretion of calcium in the urine.

"When the amount of calcium in the blood falls too low, the parathyroid glands secrete just enough PTH to restore the balance. [..]

"If the glands secrete too much hormone, as in hyperparathyroidism, the balance is disrupted: blood calcium rises. This condition of excessive calcium in the blood, called hypercalcemia, is what usually signals the doctor that something may be wrong with the parathyroid glands.[..]

"This excess PTH triggers the release of too much calcium into the bloodstream. The bones may lose calcium, and too much calcium may be absorbed from food. The levels of calcium may increase in the urine, causing kidney stones. PTH also acts to lower blood phosphorous levels by increasing excretion of phosphorus in the urine.[..]

"When symptoms do appear, they are often mild and nonspecific, such as a feeling of weakness and fatigue, depression, or aches and pains. With more severe disease, a person may have a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion or impaired thinking and memory, and increased thirst and urination. Patients may have thinning of the bones without symptoms, but with risk of fractures. Increased calcium and phosphorous excretion in the urine may cause kidney stones. Patients with hyperparathyroidism may be more likely to develop peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, and pancreatitis."


Posted by zarkme at 13:16:09 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

UVB + Vitamin D research

Some good articles regarding Vitamin D
from: http://www.sarcinfo.com/calcium.htm
"The active hormone of Vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D)(1,25-D) performs a vital function in immune diseases, including Sarcoidosis. It causes hematopoetic-stem-cells to differentiate (grow) into monocytes, the basic White Blood Cell (leukocyte), and then it causes these to differentiate (grow) into the macrophages and giant cells characteristic of sarcoid granuloma[1,2]. Without this hormone there would be no formation of granuloma. The hormone is also responsible for maintaining proper operation of the ParaThyroid, Muscle, Pancreas, Bone, Intestine, Kidneys, Heart and the Brain [3]."

from : http://www.sarcinfo.com/remission.htm
There is a hormone which allows the sarcoid granuloma to flourish. It is called 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. It is formed in the kidneys from 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the metabolite formed when our bodies take in Vitamin D from sunlight or from food. Although the 1,25 D hormone is normally manufactured in the kidneys, it is also manufactured in the granulomatous inflammation of Sarcoidosis.
[..]
One way to stop high levels of this 1,25 D hormone from forming is to reduce the amount of Vitamin D that our bodies are taking in. This has to be done carefully, as our bodies need some Vitamin D to function properly. Nevertheless, the granuloma of sarcoidosis manufacture this hormone very vigorously, and so sarcoid patients are especially sensitive to sunlight and dietary Vitamin D.

The symptoms of fatigue, numbness, pain and cramping all go away after the level of the 1,25 D hormone has been brought back down to normal levels. Your doctor needs to measure the level of the 1,25 D hormone and make sure it doesn't fall too low.

from : http://www.pulmonologychannel.com/sarcoidosis/
What is a granuloma?
Sarcoidosis is characterized by the formation of small, granular inflammatory lesions (granulomas). The word "granuloma" comes from the Latin word "granum," meaning "grain" or "seed." Granulomas are characterized by a nodular appearance and a unique cellular pattern that can be seen through a microscope and can form on nearly any part of the body, internal or external. There are many different granulomatous diseases, from Crohn's disease to tuberculosis.

The cells that make up a granuloma are from the immune system. The immune system is the body's defense against disease and illness. Its major players are the macrophages and leukocytes, cells that originate in the bone marrow and travel through the lymphatic vessels to different areas of the body.

Macrophages are cells that attack foreign microbes by binding to and engulfing them. Macrophages secrete assorted biochemicals that affect the behavior of the surrounding cells. One of the types of biochemicals that they secrete, for example, are the cytokines, which cause inflammation. This is why an infected area becomes inflamed.

Lymphocytes are smaller immune cells that are inactive until they encounter an antigen (a foreign molecule) that they specifically recognize. They then start to secrete antibodies to fight the attacker. The two most common types of lymphocytes are T cells and B cells. The antibodies they secrete are known as immunoglobulins (Ig).

When foreign particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, chemical toxins) resist the action of macrophages, the macrophages attack the resistant particle and form the characteristic cellular pattern known as a granuloma. The granuloma is a cluster of a variety of cells that forms a discrete nodule. The multinucleated giant cell is characteristic of the granuloma. The giant cell is made up of many macrophages that fuse together and is seen in the central region of the granuloma. Many macrophages surround the giant cells and are called epitheliod cells. The central part of the granuloma is surrounded by layers of T cells. Granulomas can be easily seen and identified through a microscope.



threads on kickAS.org (often there are links to good research there) :

Posted by zarkme at 02:30:34 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

May 04, 2005

Interesting Links

Other web sites with Diet information (some of this is repeated in the Introduction section)
There are some great forums for people to chat about AS.
About Ankylosing Spondylitis
Posted by zarkme at 09:37:36 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Dehydration at Night + Kidney Health

Links
What works
  • Taking a Multivitamin
    This works quite well. I don't know what nutrient is helping out, so I will just list out the brand and the ingredients of my multi vitamin. I will experiment with other multi vitamins and see if they also help.Eventually I will figure it out.

    The supplement is from 'Ion Health' in NSW Australia, it contains :
    • betacarotene, b vitamins, vit c, vit d, vit e, vit h, folic acid, inositol, choline bitartate, bioflavanoids, bromelains, cysteine, lysine, taurine, glutamine, phosphate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, chromium, selenium, manganese, iodine, copper gluconate
    • 2005.04.21 : I tries several of the above separately and it looks like it is the bromelain that is helping? Unfortunately most bromelain tablets have starch added so you will need to test with iodine. The iodine will change to a bluish  black colour if there is starch.

  • Sleeping on my belly
    This works a bit better than the multivitamin. But this is so very very uncomfortable that I don't sleep very well.

  • Fasting
    I had a bad tummy bug once and couldn't keep food down. My gut was cleared out pretty quick (the runs) and after which I was in no pain. Not only was I in no pain but I felt really good, my mind was clear, I slept really well and had no dehydration during the night.

from http://www.glycoboy.com/ankylosingSpondylitis.asp
"One more. An NSAID medication I took a few years back killed a particular portion of each kidney (Papillary Necrosis). I became unusually susceptible to dehydration, and had to drink large amounts of water to get my urine colorless. Now, I can keep it colorless by drinking normal amounts of water."

Possible Cause: Hypercalcemia
  • Looks like hypercalcemia results from excessive leukocytes / macrophage activity. The increases macrophage activity causes an increase in Calcitriol, and the high levels of Calcitriol can cause "increased urination (especially at night)" (see: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682335.html)

    Quote from: http://www.pulmonologychannel.com/sarcoidosis/
    • "There are many different granulomatous diseases, from Crohn's disease to tuberculosis."
      "      The cells that make up a granuloma are from the immune system. The immune system is the body's defense against disease and illness. Its major players are the macrophages and leukocytes, cells that originate in the bone marrow and travel through the lymphatic vessels to different areas of the body."
    Quoted from: http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic260.htm
    • "Granulomatous disorders: High levels of calcitriol may be found in patients with sarcoidosis and other granulomatous diseases. In these disorders, the increased level of calcitriol results from production within the macrophages, which constitute a large portion of some granulomas."
    Quoted from: http://www.sarcinfo.com/remission.htm
  • Quotes from: http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic260.htm
    • "Hypercalcemia associated with renal calculi, joint complaints, and ulcer disease is more likely to be caused by hyperparathyroidism."
    • "Hypercalcemia can produce a number of nonspecific findings, as follows:
      * Hypertension and bradycardia may be noted in patients with hypercalcemia, but this is nonspecific.
      * Abdominal examination may suggest pancreatitis or the possibility of an ulcer.
      * Patients with long-standing elevation of serum calcium may have proximal muscle weakness that is more prominent in the lower extremities; they also may have bony tenderness to palpation.
      * Hyperreflexia and tongue fasciculations may be present.
      * Anorexia or nausea may occur.
      * Polyuria and dehydration are common.
      * Lethargy, stupor, or even coma may be observed."
    • "Granulomatous disorders: High levels of calcitriol may be found in patients with sarcoidosis and other granulomatous diseases. In these disorders, the increased level of calcitriol results from production within the macrophages, which constitute a large portion of some granulomas."
    Quotes from: http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancer.gov/CDR0000062737.html
    • "Signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia to report to the health care provider:
      • Lethargy.
      • Fatigue.
      • Confusion.
      • Loss of appetite.
      • Nausea/vomiting.
      • Constipation.
      • Excessive thirst."

  • Calcitriol can cause "increased urination (especially at night)" and a host of other interesting side effects which are common enough in AS. This leads one to think that perhaps people with AS have elevated Caclitriol levels? I am not sure, what I do know is that we tend to have high levels of serum calcium (ie: high blood concentraion of caclcium).
    Quotes from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682335.html
    • "Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D that keeps the amount of calcium in the blood from becoming too low (hypocalcemia)."
    • "increased urination (especially at night)" (as an adverseside effect of taking Calcitriol)
    • [here is a list of side effects from Calcitriol:]
      * weakness
      * headache
      * sluggishness
      * upset stomach
      * vomiting
      * dry mouth
      * constipation
      * muscle pain
      * bone pain
      * metal taste
      * increased thirst
      * decreased appetite
      * weight loss
      * increased urination (especially at night)
      * changes in vision
      * changes in mental awareness


Posted by zarkme at 01:14:03 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

May 03, 2005

Cheese

cheese - NSD test
2005.05.03   4pm
testing:
* hard vintage cheese 130gram (a well aged cheese with a strong taste)
* a few grapes (always safe for me)

start: (before eating cheese)
* tender points:
in right rib. Very slight tenderness when pressing hard on left rib and centre of chest. hip has almost zero tenderness
* pain and stiffness:
back and neck have no pain but are slightly stiff. Very slight pain when getting up from chair.
observations:
* at 30 mins felt increased warmth (similar to noni juice)
* at 4 to 5 hours I still had no change in pain or inflammation
* at about 6 hours I had some mild pain in my heel (enthesitis) and a tiny bit of eczema.  There was no enthesitis before I ate the cheese.
* next day the eczema calmed down and the enthesitis had cleared altogether.
* after 24 hours had a fair bit of pain in my hips. Pretty sure it was the cheese but could have been the soto ayam paste that was used to spice up a meal (it contains onion) .

conclusions:
* so far this confirms john's (dragonslayer) observation that old hard cheeses are tolerated better than other dairy products. We find that other dairy products cause a modest amount of inflammation and well aged cheeses are an exception to this rule.
* I will be glad if I can add this to my diet as cheese is a good source of much needed calories and Vitamin B12.
Posted by zarkme at 11:49:17 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Bromelain

Bromelain is quite a useful supplement. It is an enzyme derived from pineapple, so don't use it if you are allergic to pineapples (and that is fairly rare). I find it works wonderfully well at first, but unfortunately the effect becomes weaker the longer I use it, and after a week or two I need to give it a rest for a fortnight before trying it again.

* some excellent information here on proteolytic enzymes (that includes bromelain) and a range of health problems that it is useful for
http://www.womenandinfants.com/body.cfm?id=388&chunkiid=21671
Posted by zarkme at 06:01:06 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |
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